ETSI develops globally-applicable standards for many different Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Among these are standards for smart cards for mobile communications and other applications, standards for close range inductive data communications and for a variety of short range devices. The work of the two organizations intersects at the point where specifications and standards development come together. The agreement ensures a high level of alignment between the two organizations. „“When industry associations work hand-in-hand with standards bodies, it assures solutions providers that their products and services will reach the broadest possible market and work effectively around the world,““ said Koichi Tagawa, chairman of the NFC Forum. „“ETSI is one of the world’s premier standards bodies and we are pleased to partner with them.““ ETSI’s Director-General, Walter Weigel, declared, „“ETSI is committed to ensure global interoperability and avoid duplication of work. Hence, I am very happy about this MoU with the NFC Forum and I am confident that this collaboration will lead to many benefits for the industry and end users.““ As the NFC Forum and ETSI prepare to release additional specifications, the relationship will aid the coordination of activities related to testing and product certification. The agreement will also enable the two organizations to exchange questions and answers regarding each other’s work and to better coordinate future endeavors. www.etsi.org www.nfc-forum.org